Elsevier Food International
Volume 10, No. 4 November 2007
Market Vision
For years, Carrefour has pursued a strategy of rapid international expansion. Since the appointment of José Luis Duran as chief executive in 2005, however, Carrefour has withdrawn from several countries such as Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland. Now it focuses on the key emerging ‘BRIC’ markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
"We are Chinese in China and Brazillian in Brazil"
EFI Special
Supermarkets are a good example of optimised building design solutions. They operate in a highly competitive space, and need to balance several important experiential and operational factors in order to compete.
Food Buying
Many consumers no longer accept that products in their shopping baskets are produced at the expense of farmers and factory labourers in poor countries. The market demand for ethically-sourced products is growing fast. Retailers that do not (re)act, risk their reputation.
Ethical sourcing: a social dilemma
Industry Profile
In the last decade, Danone has been successful with its worldwide healthy food strategy. With its biscuits division sold, Danone now focuses on dairy, beverages and – particularly after acquiring Numico – speciality food such as baby food and clinical nutrition. However, there are certain reservations with regard to Danone’s recent strategic moves
Danone: Time for a health check?
Store Profiles
Only the best is good enough for customers in the Danube hypermarket in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Positioning itself at the top end of the market, Danube aims to blend products from all over the world in a value-added Arabic setting. Rolling out its store network nationwide, the longer term will see Danube stores popping up in the Gulf region.
In early 2007, Eataly Turin opened its doors for business. On 11,000 square metres, customers and visitors can taste and buy quality foods – mostly from Italy but also from abroad – and be educated about all aspects of Italian cuisine and gastronomy. Eataly’s concept will be rolled out all over Italy and next year it is expected to cater to food savvy customers in New York as well.
ECR
Depending on who you ask, RFID technology is either the greatest invention since sliced bread or an over-hyped technology that will take far more time to live up to its potential and provide a return on investment. Many industry observers are frustrated by RFID’s slow adoption in the supply chain but concede that some issues must still be resolved.
Food Watch
During the past few years, many discount chains have increasingly added manufacturer brands to their assortment. The German discounter Lidl, for example, between January 2003 and July 2004 added more than 40 manufacturer brands to its assortment compared to an average product line of some 800 SKUs. Is this a shrewd move for both retailers and manufacturers?
The delicate relation between brands and discounters
Country Profile
Counterfeit products are rampant in China, where safety of food and consumer products is a serious problem. The government must find a solution, as all eyes of the world are on the host of Beijing’s 2008 Olympics. Also, the rapidly emerging middle classes demand trusted food and distribution channels. China’s soaring middle classes heat up competition among retailers, who rush to the many Chinese cities to plant their flags and build operations. Welcome to retailing in China, the wild east.
Real Estate
A maturing economy opens up the market for the expansion of shopping centres throughout Spain. However the wide variation in planning laws across the country can complicate matters for investors.
Market Vision For years, Carrefour has pursued a strategy of rapid international expansion. Since the appointment of José Luis Duran as chief executive in 2005, however, Carrefour has withdrawn from several countries such as Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland. Now it focuses on the key emerging ‘BRIC’ markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Supermarkets are a good example of optimised building design solutions. They operate in a highly competitive space, and need to balance several important experiential and operational factors in order to compete.
Many consumers no longer accept that products in their shopping baskets are produced at the expense of farmers and factory labourers in poor countries. The market demand for ethically-sourced products is growing fast. Retailers that do not (re)act, risk their reputation.
In the last decade, Danone has been successful with its worldwide healthy food strategy. With its biscuits division sold, Danone now focuses on dairy, beverages and – particularly after acquiring Numico – speciality food such as baby food and clinical nutrition. However, there are certain reservations with regard to Danone’s recent strategic moves
Only the best is good enough for customers in the Danube hypermarket in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Positioning itself at the top end of the market, Danube aims to blend products from all over the world in a value-added Arabic setting. Rolling out its store network nationwide, the longer term will see Danube stores popping up in the Gulf region.
Depending on who you ask, RFID technology is either the greatest invention since sliced bread or an over-hyped technology that will take far more time to live up to its potential and provide a return on investment. Many industry observers are frustrated by RFID’s slow adoption in the supply chain but concede that some issues must still be resolved.
During the past few years, many discount chains have increasingly added manufacturer brands to their assortment. The German discounter Lidl, for example, between January 2003 and July 2004 added more than 40 manufacturer brands to its assortment compared to an average product line of some 800 SKUs. Is this a shrewd move for both retailers and manufacturers?
Counterfeit products are rampant in China, where safety of food and consumer products is a serious problem. The government must find a solution, as all eyes of the world are on the host of Beijing’s 2008 Olympics. Also, the rapidly emerging middle classes demand trusted food and distribution channels. China’s soaring middle classes heat up competition among retailers, who rush to the many Chinese cities to plant their flags and build operations. Welcome to retailing in China, the wild east.
A maturing economy opens up the market for the expansion of shopping centres throughout Spain. However the wide variation in planning laws across the country can complicate matters for investors.
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